Callahan defeats defending champ Pranger to win Old Warson Cup

Crimson Callahan has been on the St. Louis golf scene for years. As a junior golfer, Callahan played in Plus 4s at nearly every event. Now, the sophomore at Western Kentucky has stamped his name on one of the premier amateur titles in this region. Callahan took down Drew Pranger, the defending Old Warson Cup champion and reigning Player of the Year, on Sunday in 19 Holes to kickstart his 2019 season.

In a wild final match, Callahan was 3 up going to the 12th tee and seemingly in control after a close front 9. However, the veteran Pranger immediately came back by winning Nos. 12 and 13. Callahan won No. 15 to go 2 up and carried that lead into the par-3 17th, where he needed a halve to claim victory.

Pranger, whose short game was on point all weekend, got up and down for par from the greenside bunker to win 17 and send the match to the closing hole. Pranger found the fairway while Callahan the right rough. Playing first, Pranger came up short of the putting green, while Callahan caught a flyer and was back left just off the putting green with the customary Sunday front right hole location looming.

Pranger was out and about 36 yards from the flagstick. He pitched up, his ball took one big bounce, skipped and the next bounce slammed into the flagstick and dropped in the hole for an improbable birdie. Callahan would not chip in and the match continued to Hole 1 for overtime.

Both players found the fairway on No. 1. Callahan found the putting surface, while Pranger was left of the green in the bunker with a difficult bunker shot to the front left hole. Pranger was left with a right-to-left slider of a putt for par which just slid by and Callahan rolled in a 3-footer for par and the championship.